World Water Week 2011

Where does your water come from? If you’re like most people, you have no idea where the water you use everyday comes from. Around 77% of US adults cannot accurately identify the natural source of the water used in their homes, according to USA Today.

Water might be the most taken for granted resource we enjoy. everyday 900 million people do not have access to clean water, and about 10,000 children younger than 5 in Third World Countries die from illnesses as a result of using unclean water. Globally, unclean water is the largest kill in children younger than 5. (Source: Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group)

This week is World Water Week 2011 as yesterday was World Water Day, March 22nd. The UN suggests ideas and events that can help millions of people who do not have the access to hot or clean water.

One idea is to give up “non-water” and give water to others. Lenton H2O Project is suggesting, during lent (or during any period of time), to give up everything but water to drink. Saving the money ordinarily spent on sodas, juices and coffees, the project suggests donating the money to their organization.

There are many organizations sponsoring clean water supplies. Even Levi’s has partnered with Water.org, the organization created by actor Matt Damon, to donate more than 200 million liters of water to desperately needy communities.  With Groupon Chicago, an anonymous donor is giving $10 to Water.org for every $15 donated.

If you buy an eco water bottle from the Mocha Club, you will be providing clean water to 15 people in Sudan. This will be a big help especially since the women in Sudan have to walk around four miles everyday for water. Much like the Tom’s shoe project that donates a pair of shoes to children in Africa for every shoe purchased, for every bottle purchased, a bottle will be provided to a Sudanese family while simultaneously keeping plastic water bottles from filling landfills here in the United States.

Also similar to the Tom’s Shoes project, Teva shoes is launching “A Pair for a Foot.” Teva is going to pretext one linear foot of global waterways for every pair of shoes sold this year. Their donations will be made to organizations like Ocean Conservancy and Waterkeeper Alliance. Also during Water Week, UNICEF is launching their Tap Project which will ask patrons to donate $1 for a glass of tap water at participating restaurants.

Water Week is all week. How will you be helping in saving water?

Image from Beneath_B1ue_Skies via Flickr.